ALTHOUGH it has been 20 years since Jennifer Aniston first graced our screens as Rachel Green in Friends, the A-list actress barely seems to have aged a day.

While her love of yoga and dedication to a healthy diet both play a part in her youthful appearance, Jennifer, now 45, has revealed that her dewy complexion is down to regular face peels.

In an interview last week she revealed that unlike many of her peers she would never go under the surgeon’s knife or inject her face with fillers and Botox.

“I am grateful to learn from their mistakes,” Jennifer told Yahoo Beauty. “I see them and my heart breaks.

“I think, ‘Oh God, if you only know how much older you look’.”

The actress says she’s addicted to laser peels as they leave her skin feeling baby soft.

Peels are now often overlooked in favour of more modern treatments but, as Jennifer proves, they are an excellent way to roll back the years.

Using ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acid or the latest laser technology, they work by removing the damaged outer layers of skin to allow a fresh new layer of cells to grow. This makes skin look, feel and even act younger by encouraging it to produce more collagen. Just one treatment can instantly brighten skin, shrink pores and even out any pigmentation problems.

While the old-style peels used very strong concentrations of acids and treatments needed to be carefully supervised by a doctor, the new generation are perfectly safe, often painless and involve little recovery time. Better still they can even be used at home.

There are super peels out there for every age and skin type.

Just follow this guide to find the best one for you:

The new generation of peels are virtually painless and require next to no recovery time [GETTY]

Peels are now often overlooked in favour of more modern treatments but, as Jennifer proves, they are an excellent way to roll back the years

AT THE CLINIC

The Spot Laser Peel

This peel is ideal for targeting smaller facial areas such as wrinkling around the lip area, fine lines around the eyes and enlarged pores on the chin.

A Smartxide laser is used to puncture lots of tiny holes into the surface of the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing process and boosting collagen production. Depending on the depth of the wrinkles the laser can be adjusted so it doesn’t go too deep.

Treated areas will be red for a few days but the results will last up to five years.

• From £300 per area

Full Facial Laser Peel

An ablative CO2 laser works in much the same way as the Spot Laser Peel but this is a much deeper and more aggressive treatment. The laser penetrates deep into the skin and encourages collagen production.

The surface of your skin will be red for a week or so after but will then feel softer, look brighter and have a more even tone.

The condition will continue to improve for up to six months and results will last for up to 10 years.

• Prices start from £500

Glycolic Peel

Ideal if you’ve never tried a peel before, this gentle treatment is suitable for all skin types.

Glycolic acid gently dissolves the glue-like substance that binds dead skin cells to the surface of the skin.

The peel is painted on and left for the required time. Afterwards the skin is cleansed and a moisturiser is applied followed by an SPF cream.

A course of six sessions one week apart is recommended for maximum results.

You should expect some redness immediately after the treatment but this will fade within the day.

• From £60 per peel

Multi Mask Peel

A form of kojic acid (found in Japanese sake and shiitake mushrooms) is used to renew the surface of the skin and eliminate pigmentation problems, especially those caused by sun damage and environmental and hormonal factors (such as pregnancy).

This peel is also highly effective at treating melasma, a blotchy brownish pigmentation found on the face.

One peel is applied, which is followed by a 28-day course of skin creams that work to suppress the melanin. You may experience some redness for a day. Results last up to a year.

This is a medium-strength peel and the procedure is similar to that of the glycolic peel.

It combines resorcinol, lactic acid and salicylic acid for deeper exfoliation. Be warned though, this is an uncomfortable peel and your skin will flake for up to a week afterwards until the newer skin is revealed.

One treatment may be sufficient but if you have active acne a course of three treatments three to four weeks apart may be required. Results last up to five years.

Home peels are designed to work in a similar way to professional treatments but contain a lower percentage of active acids.

These acids are commonly found in skincare products but are used in slightly higher concentrations in at-home peels to enable them to dissolve dead skin cells. They can also be used to maintain the benefi ts of a professional peel.

• Filorga Sleep and Peel Night Cream, £54 (marksandspencer.com) is enriched with six hydro acids which work throughout the night to exfoliate and renew skin.

• Ole Henriksen Power Peel Microdermabrasion and Acid Peel System, £36 (debenhams.com) consists of an almond based exfoliating paste which should be used in the same way as a scrub.

Next, apply the Lemon Strip Flash Peel which chemically exfoliates the skin. When it starts to feel hot cover the peel with a calming camomile mask. Leave to work for 20 minutes. Skin should feel smoother and look brighter. Use once a week.

• Sanctuary Spa 30-Day Youth Revolution, £22.50 (boots.com) is a glycolic-based mask which you paint on to the face and leave for 15 minutes. Peeling off the mask will remove dead skin cells. Use twice a week for one month for a more even skin tone.